Fraunhofer Institute, the German technology outfit that started the digital media era by developing the MP3 codec, has created a new digital music class called MPEG Surround. Its 5.1 audio promises to be to the music industry what Blu-ray and HD video are to the movie/TV industry. MPEG Surround carries all six surround sound channels (true 5.1) and does it at the same bit rate as traditional stereo tracks ‘ as low as 64 Kbps. That’s low enough for online radio stations and music services to stream MPEG Surround with the same equipment and broadband connection they use now. The sound is fantastic because you get the full whole-room, studio-like music experience. The two big questions we asked Fraunhofer were…